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Rachael Parnell

Upon hearing a consumer found out a discounter was launching a fresh product collection that appeared similar to items from premium company Augustinus Bader, she was "super excited".

She dashed to her local outlet to purchase the Lacura face cream for £8.49 for 50ml - a small portion of the £240 cost of the Augustinus Bader 50ml product.

The smooth blue tube and gold lid of each products look remarkably comparable. And though Rachael has not tested the premium cream, she says she's satisfied by the alternative so far.

She has been using beauty alternatives from high street stores and supermarkets for a long time, and she's not alone.

Over a 25% of UK shoppers report they've purchased a skincare or makeup alternative. This rises to 44% among millennials and Gen Z, as per a recent study.

Lookalikes are beauty items that copy established companies and provide cost-effective alternatives to premium items. These products often have similar names and packaging, but sometimes the formulas can change significantly.

Victoria Woollaston

'High-Priced Isn't Necessarily Better'

Skincare specialists contend some alternatives to high-end brands are reasonable standard and assist make beauty routines more affordable.

"I don't think higher-priced is invariably superior," states dermatology expert Sharon Belmo. "Not every budget skincare brand is poor - and not all luxury beauty item is the best."

"Certain [dupes] are really impressive," notes a skincare commentator, who hosts a program with celebrities.

A lot of of the items based on luxury brands "disappear so fast, it's just crazy," he says.

Scott McGlynn

Medical expert Ross Perry believes alternatives are acceptable to use for "simple routines" like moisturisers and cleansers.

"Alternatives will serve a purpose," he explains. "These items will perform the essentials to a acceptable standard."

Another skin doctor, advises you can spend less when you're looking for single-ingredient items like HA, niacinamide and a moisturizing ingredient.

"If you're purchasing a single-ingredient item then you're likely going to be fine in opting for a dupe or a product which is quite affordable because there's not much that can cause issues," she says.

'Don't Be Swayed by the Box'

Yet the professionals also suggest consumers check details and note that more expensive items are sometimes worth the premium price.

With high-end skincare, you're not only covering the brand and promotion - often the elevated cost also is due to the components and their standard, the strength of the key component, the research used to create the item, and tests into the item's efficacy, Dr Belmo explains.

Skin therapist she suggests it's valuable questioning how certain alternatives can be priced so at a low cost.

In some cases, she says they might include filler ingredients that do not provide as many advantages for the complexion, or the materials might not be as carefully selected.

"One big doubt is 'Why is it so inexpensive?'" she asks.

Expert McGlynn says sometimes he's bought skincare items that appear similar to a established brand but the actual formula has "no connection to the premium version".

"Don't be convinced by the outer appearance," he cautioned.

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Regarding potent products or those with components that can inflame the skin if they're not made accurately, such as retinols or vitamin C serums, Dr Bhate suggests selecting research-backed brands.

She explains these typically have been subjected to expensive studies to determine how efficacious they are.

Skincare items are required to be tested before they can be marketed in the UK, explains skin doctor Emma Wedgeworth.

When the label states about the effectiveness of the product, it must have data to support it, "but the manufacturer doesn't necessarily have to conduct the trials" and can alternatively reference testing completed by other brands, she adds.

Examine the Ingredients List of the Pack

Are there any components that could suggest a item is low-quality?

Ingredients on the label of the tube are ordered by concentration. "Potential irritants that you want to look out for… is your mineral oil, your sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance, benzel peroxide" being {high up